UPDATE

BUSINESS PARK CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN – The Decatur Economic Development Corp. Wednesday awarded a $2.8 million contract to McMahon Contracting for the construction of infrastructure at Eagles Landing Business Park southeast of town. Eagles Landing is being built on a 162-acre tract of land north of Farm Road 2264, east of U.S. 81/287. The EDC received $5.5 million in bond proceeds last week and completed the purchase of the property Tuesday with a $1.8 million check to Wise County Consortium LLC, represented by Mark Duncum. The McMahon contract will be presented Monday night to Decatur City Council for ratification. Construction is expected to start within the next 30 days. Read more in the weekend Messenger.

FUNDRAISER FOR BURN VICTIM – Community members are invited to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Gerald Stuteville of Boyd 5 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 540 S. Allen Street. Stuteville was severely burned in a grass fire at his home in September, and donations will go to help he and wife Cindy pay medical costs. There will also be a silent auction at the dinner, with items including a guided fishing trip on Possum Kingdom Lake, camping items, meat gift certificates and a basketball goal.

BENEFIT RAFFLE – Raffle tickets are on sale to benefit “Cross Man” Mark Irland, who makes wooden crosses for everyone who passes away in Wise and Montague counties. Tickets are $10 each, and can be used to win a “men’s basket” which includes gift cards, a bass fishing trip, a Ruger LC9S 9 mm pistol and two oil changes or a “women’s basket” which includes jewelry, gift cards, two bottles of wine and a 10-12 person paint party with Just For The Art Of It. Raffle tickets can be purchased at iOffice, J-Rob’s, Brandi’s Country Kitchen (both locations), Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur and Greenwood Store or by contacting Nia Callan, 817-707-7409. Callan will announce the raffle winners Saturday. Proceeds will help pay medical expenses for Irland’s wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

FFA PLANT SALE – Decatur FFA will have a plant sale 4-6 p.m. today at the Decatur High School greenhouse and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Decatur Community Market. If the market is canceled due to weather, Saturday’s plant sale will also be at the greenhouse.

PBR TICKETS NOW ON SALE – Tickets for the 2018 J.W. Hart PBR Challenge on June 2 went on sale at 7 this morning at wcchallenger.org. This will be the 15th year for the annual event held at the Wise County Fairgrounds.

DAV YARD SALE – The Disabled American Veterans will hold a yard sale at the DAV Hall today and Saturday.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEA – Bridgeport Parks and Recreation is inviting all moms, grandmothers and daughters to join them for their 5th annual Mother-Daughter Tea Party 1-3 p.m. Sunday. This year’s theme is “Unicorn Magic.” Cost is $20 per couple, $10 for each additional daughter. Call 940-683-3480.

BAKE SALE – East Side Alumni will hold a bake sale 9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the St. John Church in Decatur. The sale is a fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Call 940-627-9082.

DAR MEETING – The John B. Denton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold its April meeting 10 a.m. Saturday. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Historical Museum, the group will meet at a private home. Call Cecily Pegues at 817-528-8412 for location and more information. Speaker is Kathy Hanlon, presenting “Texas and World War I.”

LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP – The Wise County Lupus Support Group meets 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wise Health System west campus. Call Donna at 940-210-2919.

BUYERS ASSOCIATION BARBECUE – The Greenwood/Slidell Buyers Association is having a barbecue fundraiser in Greenwood at the Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Donations will be taken. Raffle tickets will be sold for a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol and a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle.

CHICO CLEAN UP – Chico will host a city-wide clean up day 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. A large trash bin will be located at 401 N. Mount St. (at the water tower). No tires, paint or shingles will be accepted. Use is for Chico residents only. It’s free with a current water bill.

BAPTIST COLLEGE REUNION – The bi-annual Decatur Baptist College Reunion is 10 a.m. Saturday. Dr. and Mrs. Ellis will be honored. From 8:30-9 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Dr. Ward’s grave at Deep Creek Cemetery.

MARKET DAYS – Wise County Market Days will be opening Decatur’s Community Market Third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the Wise County Fairground’s South Field. The event will include the Farmers Market, local honey, artisans, crafts, fresh baked goods, food trucks and activities for kids and adults. The Decatur High School FFA will be selling plants grown by students.

FUNERALS – Service for Gene Reed, 89, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur.